St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-11-29
Judge Macdonald Kept Pretty
Busy With His Letters
500 and Sioux.
Wilson Urged For the Judi
ciary Committee and Mac
Donald For Pensions.
Admirable Work OF the Life
Savers--General Washing
ton Intelligence.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2S.-Ever since
his arrival in this city, about month
ago, Congressman Macdonald has sue
cessfully steered clear of the inter-
viewers. He has been careful and dis
Greet in all of his utterances when in
the company of newspaper men, and
has said absolutely nothing which could
be used as an interview. This is
especially commendable in him, because
he has been mingling with the gentle
men who represent local papors, as well
as those who carry the dignity and re-
sponsibility of the great dailies of the
entire country in their vest pockets.
But it remained to one rep Orter on
local paper here to eclipse everything in
the interviewing line. He published an
interview with Judge Macdonald con-
cerning Iowa and her recent election.
The Republican papers have quoted
that ''interview" and ridiculed the
judge for saying that the Democrats
had carried Iowa, when he never said
word that was published and attributed
to him. The reporter who wrote the
matter met Congressman Macdonald
MlItI llt MdS AcIC ldSl dllu IT,
ceived courteous treatment at his hands,
and the young man took the liberty of
attributing what he thought to be good
sentiments TO the Minnesota congress
man because he happened to be i'll the
city. The GLOBE man called on Judge
Macdonald this evening, and he said:
Il have nothing to say on the subject
other than that the entire interview was
.In Of, vl.Nl nlf.fh IL
that it has injured me any, even if the
opposition press does use it to laugh
about
Few public men would take things so
philosophically. While at the residence
of the statesman from ShakOpee, your
correspondent invited himself into the
''den" where the congressman does his
work. There is a table, letter press
and copy book, desk and bookcase.
The whole place is
Uttered WITH LETTERS AND DoCU-
NIENTS.
The Judge had not less than fifty let
terS from all parts of the state on pen
sion matters. The old soldiers seem to
have selected Macdonald as their cham
piOn. His correspondence upon this
subject alone is enormous. One great
trouble which he encounters seems to
be caused by the careleSSnesS of parties
who write to him upon this subject. In
addition to the work of writing a state
ment of their cases, he is obliged to
write letter in many cases asking the
claimant for information which ought
to be furnished in the first letter. That
is, the number of the pension claim, the
rank, company, regiment and date of
service of the claimant ought to be
given every time. When it is not given
the congressman has TO write and
ask for it. When man has to
this kind every day, in addition
to other work, it becomes very
mOnOtonous. The judge seems to be
willing to visit the commissioner of
pensions in each case and seek to help
the soldier and the widow and orphan,
and it does seem but reasonable
that they should try to save him as much
trouble as possible. 1t is enough to
answer letters of inquiry without being
obliged to write for fuller statements
every time. These observations are
made. not by the suggestion of Con-
greSsman Macdonald, but because the
GLOBE man has seen the condition of
affairs, and sat beside the hard-working
man in his office while he was doing all
this work which ought not to be i'm
posed upon him.
In answer to an impertinent ques-
ton: 'What is that letter abOut?" the
judge replied: This letter calls for
public documents which | cannot get.
The voters of Minnesota ought to be in
formed that the newly elected members
of congress are not entitled TO any of
the printed reports of the different de-
partmentS and bureaus, for circulation
among theirFconstituentS,u until after the
meeting of congress. All documents
printed prior to that time are, by resO-
luton heretofore adopted, divided
among the members of the last congress.
Notwithstanding this, ! will try to Sc
cure enough to supply all persons who
have written to me for reports